Artificial grass is a surface made of synthetic fibres that mimics natural grass in sports fields and landscape areas.
Synthetic turf is an alternative to natural turf, its raw material is petroleum. As a result of the searches to eliminate some of the disadvantages of natural turf, synthetic turf has been discovered and first started to be applied in sports facilities and later, decorative artificial turf for decorative purposes began to use in our gardens. Synthetic turf, whose raw material is petroleum, is technically filled with rubber granules and is produced by weaving yarns made of 100% polyethylene material.
In short, artificial turf, which started to enter our lives in the 2000s, is divided into 2 main categories as sports artificial turf and decorative artificial turf.
What are the advantages of artificial grass?
Natural grass and artificial grass… Both green, but with big differences. As you can imagine, synthetic grass requires less maintenance than regular lawn, but it has also some other benefits. As the best artificial grass company in Turkey İlkesport prepared some tips for you:
Lawn and artificial lawn look exactly the same at first glance. The big difference, however, is that you don’t just buy artificial turf grassfor appearance. You always have to be careful with natural grassturf; otherwise it will shrink or wither. Artificial turf doesn’t have this problem. However often you use it, it stays green.
When it has rained, a field of grass becomes a mud pit. You won’t have any problems with that on artificial turf either. The water runs away quickly and children can play on it again immediately. No dirty clothes or muddy feet in the house.
What types of artificial grass are there?
Wherever a weather proof running surface is needed outside in the garden, artificial turf is a good and inexpensive solution.
A high quality artificial grass carpet is offered by the meter in various widths and colours. Nubs on the underside prevent artificial turf laid on concrete or wood from slipping. Another advantage of artificial turf is that the water can drain off easily when it is wet and raining.
Artificial turf can be laid very easily by cutting it to size with a knife or scissors on the balcony, terrace or even on normal garden soil. Outdoor carpets made of plastic are also very suitable as a pool border, as a base for an outdoor shower, for sidewalks or as a floor covering in a play area for children and pets.
If you value a false grass that looks as realistic as possible, you should opt for Cambridge, Oxford, Windsor or Colorado artificial turf with a pile height of 1.5 cm or more. The possible uses for an artificial lawn carpet are really very large, because the material used is weather-resistant, UV-resistant and feels comfortable even when walking barefoot.
Some sports artificial grass usage areas are:
- Football fields
- Tennis courts
- Golf Courses
- Cricket Ground
- Hockey Pitch
- Rugby Pitch
- Padel Court
- Paintball fields
Some landscape artificial grass usage areas are:
- Artificial grass for garden
- Artificial grass for balcony
- Artificial grass for terrace
- Artificial grass for playground
Installation of artificial grass
In order to be able to lay artificial turf properly and professionally, soil temperatures of at least 12 to 15 degrees and dry weather are required. The actual artificial turf season for installation is from approx. March to October.
The right substructure is just as important as high-quality artificial turf. The subsurface must be stable and permeable to seep.
You don’t have to worry too much about this on terraces or balconies. If there is a slight slope or a subsurface that can seep (e.g. garden slabs), the artificial turf can simply be laid on the existing flooring like a carpet.
But if you want to enjoy artificial turf in the garden for a long time, it is essential to provide a solid surface.
Today there are various ways to create a stable and sustainable surface for artificial turf. The most common are installations on water-permeable seepage concrete casings. Plastic tiles are also used for underlayer of artificial grasses
If you lay the artificial turf yourself, you would have to purchase all the appropriate materials and tools. There are a number of films on YouTube that explain how to lay artificial turf. But our expert team from ilkersport.com is ready to help you with pleasure anytime you need.
Cloth Under Artificial Grass
It is recommended to lay a pressure-equalizing cloth under artificial turf. This cloth has a number of advantages. First, it protects the sand bed from damage during laying the false grass. This keeps it nice and flat. It also protects against punctual loads after your artificial turf has been laid. Weeds and ants also have less chance with a cloth under the artificial turf. A pressure equalizing cloth means a small surcharge, the investment of which is more than worthwhile given the advantages.
Underlay for Artificial Grass
A soft mat can be attached under the artificial turf for additional comfort or safety. It can consist of different materials. Usually, it’s recycled rubber or foam. A layer of foam isn’t always necessary. In the event that you want to create a playground on a hard surface such as tiles, concrete, or asphalt, we recommend that you do this for the safety of your child. In the case of public facilities such as restaurants, day-care centers, or schools, it will be mandatory in most cases. The cost of a foam layer can add up significantly. Let yourself be thoroughly informed about it.
Adhesive Tape for Artificial Grass
Different strips or lengths of artificial turf are connected (glued) to one another by means of artificial grass seaming tape. There are two different methods. A new development is the use of self-adhesive tape. At the points where the seams have to be glued, this tape is rolled out under the artificial turf. Remove the foil and press the lawn carpet firmly onto the tape. The advantage of the self-adhesive tape is that it works quickly and easily.
Another method is to use glue and lose seam tape. The principle of connecting is the same. You roll out the seam tape under the various artificial turf sheets. Only that you apply the adhesive layer (glue) yourself with a spatula. The adhesive force is extremely strong. Recommended for intensively used artificial turf carpets. You have to be careful not to spill on the artificial turf when processing the adhesive. Because it is not easy to remove.
Sand for Artificial Grass
Scattering the artificial turf mat after it has been rolled out is optional (except for a number of types of turf, which are usually filled with sand). The function of the sand is to weigh down the artificial turf mat. The sand provides stability and protects the back of the carpet during intensive use. The artificial turf mat is held in place by the weight and there are no creases during use. In addition, the sand encloses the artificial turf fibers even better and ensures that they are held upright.
Do not confuse the litter sand with ‘soil‘. The sand has been specially developed for this use and artificial turf that has been sprinkled with it remains an easy-care and clean surface. The sand does not contain any organic material and therefore does not provide a breeding ground for weeds. It doesn’t store moisture, so it doesn’t turn into slush. After a rain shower, the lawn is quickly dry and clean again. The sand is ‘heavy‘. It does not blow out of the artificial grass mat and the sand stepping out is minimal.
For intensive use, for example as an artificial grass playground for children, we always recommend sprinkling a thin layer. This benefits the life of the lawn. The amount of sand that you distribute depends on the product type (minimum approx. 7 kg per m²). However, decide on the right type of sand (dried, round-grain quartz sand), not all sand is suitable.
Fastening of Artificial Turf
If you use bedding sand, as described above, you do not need to fasten the artificial turf additionally. The weight of the sand will hold the lawn mat in place. Even without sand, artificial turf is often heavy enough to remain in place without being paved. Of course, the use plays a role. An artificial turf carpet for ornamental value will cost less than a play area for children.
However, it is important that the base – the surface on which the artificial turf lies – is slightly lower than the edge. This prevents you from getting caught on the edge when stepping on the lawn. Should it happen anyway, it is advisable to secure the lawn in the entry area at the edge with iron nails or flat tent pegs.
It’s different on a balcony or roof terrace, where the wind can play a role. The advantage of a roof terrace or balcony lawn carpet is that you may be able to glue the artificial turf to the subsurface (Caution: Do not stick to roofing felt without asking for advice, it can cause damage to the roof, with all the consequences). If you need artificial grass in areas such as terraces, balconies and roofs, you can choose Decora.
FAQ
Artificial grass is made of nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene.
Artificial grass is used in many outdoor areas you can think of such as home, hotel, school, restaurant, garden.
Artificial grass makes the area more comfortable and luxurious. It also provides great benefits in terms of security.
If you are looking for the best artificial grass models, you are in the right place. Because as İlke Sport, we specially produce different and high quality artificial turfs.